[NPInfo] need down and dirty on coding

[Carla Anderson]

Paula,
   
  The AAFP website has a great section on coding, and I think it is in their toolbox, but just do a search on coding. Most likely this was a 99214, if you spent over 20 minutes, and your exam had 12 bullets (eyes have 2-3, ears have 2-3, etc...)  so you easily had that, and then if your exam had moderate decision making... if you wrote a script, etc.. it is easily a 99214. Almost all visits are 99214s these days, but just make sure your exam, documentation and decision making reflects it.  99212s are very rare unless they are like the 3rd re check for a simple problem for example. A 99213 would be an uncomplicated uti, or a followup visit on workers comp with lumbar strain and you just are re assessing pain, and sending him back with modified duty, see ya in a week kind of thing... Carla

Priscilla Merrill <prispunnyfnp at metrocast.net> wrote:
  A 99213 Anything that is VS and any prob decision making is a 3. Rarely do
I do 99212's. These are for nurse visits or procedures where you're billing
a procedure code. Might even be a 99214. I'd have to use my cheat program.
Do you have that on Epocrates? Depends on a lot of factors. I use this
when in doubt. Another rule of thumb that is not written in stone is that
20 mins or less is a 3 and over 25 min, thus more complex is a 4. Of course
these are different if new pts.
Hope this helps. In a nutshell, use the free coder on Epocrates.

Priscilla

-----Original Message-----
From: npinfo-bounces at nurse.net [mailto:npinfo-bounces at nurse.net] On Behalf
Of Paula Sumner
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 1:02 PM
To: npinfo at nurse.net
Subject: [NPInfo] need down and dirty on coding

ok, i need a down and dirty on coding.
saw an est pt today in clinic for "fever's over the weekend. I did a hx on
lungs, heart, abd, bladder. I did a ROS on these as well. My exam was EENT,
chest, heart, abd and feet(edema).

so, do i do a 99213 or 99212?

I have downloaded inof from AAFP, epocrates, etc, but it is all gobblygook
rightnow as the sec'y is awaiting forms. The doc will be in tomorrow, but i
would like to eductate myself beforehand..
paula


Paula J. Sumner RN, MSN, HTP, CHt
Healing Touch, Hypnotherapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Reiki-2
3500 Westgate Dr., Suite 504-G
Durham, NC 27707 (now Carborro too.)
919-490-4656, 8#

http://paulajsumner.byregion.net Referral ID#10102918

http://www.justanswer.com/home.asp?r=HolisticNurse&bn=2

http://www.letstalkcounseling.com/sites/paulasumner

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Carla R. Anderson, FNP-C
  Healing Presence Family Practice, PC  
  carla_rayne at yahoo.com
  503 819 9726